Before this decade is out, you might have the option to fly aboard an American Airlines supersonic jet. The airline has announced a deal with Colorado-based Boom Supersonic to purchase at least 20 of its still-in-development Overture supersonic planes. Neither company released specifics of the deal, except to say American Airlines has paid a “non-refundable deposit.”
Boom Supersonic has been making waves lately with its promise to bring back supersonic passenger flights. This hasn’t been an option for almost 20 years, not since the Concorde was retired in 2003 due to high costs and the bad publicity from a fiery crash in 2000 that killed all 109 passengers and crew. The Concorde was capable of speeds up to Mach 2, allowing for a halving of travel times. Passengers paid up to $10,000 per seat for that luxury.
Aviation experts have questioned whether there is interest among travelers for a high-end, super-fast air travel experience. Boom Supersonic’s string of investments suggests someone is interested, though. American Airlines is on the hook for 20 Overture jets, and it has the option of ordering 20 more down the line. This comes after United Airlines said in 2021 that it planned to purchase 15 of the jets. The US military also gave Boom Supersonic a $60 million grant to develop the plane, which could have applications in troop transport.
Boom Supersonic is currently in the engineering prototype phase, but concept renders show an aircraft 205 feet long with a lavish interior for all 65-88 passengers. With a range of almost 5,000 miles and a top speed of Mach 1.7 (about 1,300 miles per hour), it could fly routes like Miami to London in under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours. Like the Concorde, it will not be possible to fly the Overture over land at supersonic speeds due to the deafening sonic boom that accompanies such high speeds.
One of the reasons analysts have been skeptical of a return to supersonic travel is the high cost and environmental impact of its fuel. However, the company claims the Overture will be 100 percent carbon neutral when it’s complete, thanks to sustainable fuel sources. Boom expects to have a finished airplane on the runway in 2025, with initial test flights taking place in 2026. Commercial flights could happen as early as 2029.
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